How many places are there on the courses?
30 places in total for the BSc and 27 places for the BA, of these, for each course around 6 places will be dedicated to mature entry and access students.

What is 'accreditation' and will the degrees be accredited?

Accreditation is the official recognition of the degree by the professional psychological body in Ireland - the Psychological Society of Ireland - PSI. Your degree must be accredited to allow you to pursue a career as a professional Psychologist. Both the BSc and the BA are fully accredited by the PSI.

What will I do during the degree?

Psychology has many subdisciplines, including developmental, biological, cognitive, personality and social psychology. You will take modules in all of these areas and, in addition, from the start of the course you will undertake research methods training in the form of laboratory classes, statistics and group work. By the end of your course you will be able to undertake a piece of independent research in a topic of your choosing under the supervision of a member of staff. Programme structures for the B.Sc. and the B.A. are below.

How intense is the course?

Both degree programmes are four years long. Each term, students take five modules with associated tutorials, labs and coursework. The subject matter is interesting and varied and although the course is demanding, students find it engaging and rewarding.

What are the 'co-op' and 'exchange' programmes?

During the degree students have the opportunity to spend six months in a 'co-op' work placement related to psychology. Previous placements have been in healthcare, research and overseas teaching in numerous countries across the globe. The 'exchange' programme is a further six months spent in another university abroad. While many students spend this in Europe, others travel to other parts of the world including the US and Canada. During this placement students are encouraged to take classes in psychology, though their choice of subjects is much wider than this.

Are some school subjects more useful than others?

Psychology is a broad subject, involving elements of biology and physiology, mathematics and statistics as well as sociology and philosophy. However (other than the basic entry requirements for the course) we do not expect students to have taken particular subjects at Leaving Certificate level. All the course material will be taught from first principles and covered exhaustively within the course.

What can I do to ensure Psychology is for me?

Look at the careers open to psychologists and ask your guidance counsellor for further information. Careers in psychology are varied, from Clinical and Counselling Psychology to Health Psychology, Educational Psychology and careers in psychological research. Even if you do not want to pursue a career in psychology, bear in mind that a degree in psychology is very marketable and will provide you with transferable skills which employers will be keen to recruit. The Psychological Society of Ireland offer Psychology Career Guidance.

Will I share lectures with other students?

Lectures on some modules will be open to other degree pathways. However, methods classes and practical laboratory classes will be for psychology students only.

What are the entry criteria for mature and access students?
Mature applicants (over 23 years of age at application) apply directly though the CAO. Applications for the mature places on this course are judged on the basis of applicants' readiness to undertake a psychology degree. Previous life and work experience are considered, as is personal suitability for the course. Having some understanding of the subject and a clear career goal would also be an advantage. More information about mature applications can be found at the Admissions Office webpage. Access students apply though Undergraduate Admissions Office and entry is on a competitive basis. Six places on each course are reserved for mature and access students.

Mature student applicants relevant work experience:
Mature applicants are asked to write a short essay demonstrating 'readiness to study for a psychology degree.' Previous life or work experience will likely be relevant. In terms of previous work experience, very few applicants will have worked in a directly relevant area (as they usually need a psychology degree for this first). We look for the applicant to make a case for the relevance of their experience to the study of psychology. We wouldn't discourage anyone from applying if they haven't any directly relevant work experience, but we do encourage them to think about how they might present this in their application.

*Electives as listed are offered subject to resourcing, scheduling requirements and the number of registrations which may vary from year to year. No commitment is given to offering any specific elective in any year.

Programme Structure of the BA Psychology and Sociology as of 2012/13

Note: ECTS = 6 for every module except Final Year Project II = 12

Year 1: Autumn Semester

year 1: Spring Semester

SO4001 Introduction to Sociology

SO4063 Introduction to Social Research Methods

PS4031 The Psychology of Everyday Life

PS4021 Psychology: Theory and Method I

PS4041: Practical Psychology I

SO 4032 Introduction to Sociology 2

WS4004 Gender: Sociological Approaches

PS4032 Psychology and Social Issues

PS4042 Psychology: Theory and Method 2

PS4034 Practical Psychology II

YEAR 2: AUTUMN SEMESTER

YEAR 2: SPRING SEMESTER

S04073: Classical Social Theory

PS4035: Biological Basis of Behaviour

PS4022 Psychology of Personality

PS4011 Social Psychology 1

PS4043 Empirical Psychology 1

Cooperative education

CO4220 Co-Operative Education 1

Summer

CO4230 Co-operative Education 2

[30 ECTS credits]

YEAR 3: AUTUMN SEMESTER

YEAR 3: SPRING SEMESTER

EXTERNAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

OE4310: International Student Placement

SO4036 Contemporary Social Theory

PS4037 : Cognition

PS4012 Human Development and Life Span 1

PS4033: Research Methods

PS4034 Empirical Psychology II

YEAR 4: AUTUMN SEMESTER

YEAR 4: SPRING SEMESTER

PS4407 Final Year Project 1

PS4045: Advanced Research Methods.

SO4037: Qualitative Methods for Sociological Research

PS4408 Final year project 2 (12 credits)

SO4088 Sociology of Globalisation

Two modules to be selected from Sociology electives:

One from Semester 1

One from Semester 2

SO4168 Sociology of Health and Illness,

SO4077 Sociology of Youth**

SO4087 Social Trends: Sociological Approaches**

WS4004/S)---- Gender: Sociological Perspectives

SO4078: Inequalities and Social Exclusion

SO4033 Sociology of Media

SO4108 Sociology of Gender and Multiculturalism

SO4118 Sociology of Gender and Popular Culture

SO4128 Sociology of The Internet**

SO4138 Sociology of Religion**

SO4148 Sociology of Power: Relational and Practice**

SO4158 Sociology of Higher Education**

SO4168 Sociology of Mental Health & Illness**

SO4178 Sociology of The Body**

SO4188 Sociology of Relationships, Marriage and Family**

Two modules to be selected from advanced Psychology Electives*

One from Semester 1

One from Semester 2

PS4027 Applied Psychology

PS4087 Political Psychology

PS4087 Political Psychology

PS4097 Developmental Psychopathology

PS4097 Developmental Psychopathology

PS4108 Approaches to Social Identity

PS4108 Approaches to Social Identity

PS4158 Psychology and Gender

PS4158 Psychology and Gender

PS4138 Health Psychology

PS4138 Health Psychology

PS4107 Abnormal and Clinical Psychology

PS4107 Abnormal and Clinical Psychology

PS4168 Economic Psychology

PS4168 Economic Psychology

PS4047 Social Psychology 2

*Electives as listed are offered subject to resourcing, scheduling requirements and the number of registrations which may vary from year to year. No commitment is given to offering any specific elective in any year.